Wide angle oblique projection system



Feb. 19, 1952 P. PLANER 2,586, 6

WIDE ANGLE OBLIQUE PROJECTION SYSTEM Filed July 14, 1950 I A INVENTOR: t Paul Plane J a j M fimw Patented Feb. 1-9, 1952 U STATES PATENZIZ: camels? 2,586,436 WIDEANGLE OBLIQUEBRQJECTION, SYSTEM Paul ,BlanerisNew Yam-as Application Jul'y.14, 195 0, Serial No. 173,195

14 Claims. 1:

The invention relates" to optics; and; relates more; particularly to wide angle obliq-ue-projec tion systems yielding substantially undistorted images.

The invention is;notably suitable forprojectioni'of images at: close range tothe screen, yet covering a wide" area thereof, and finds, adVa-n themselvesin 'a darkened room; the requirement for darkness, exists only because the projectors commonly in usehave a small projecting angle,

and hence: have toibe' placed at a great. distance r from the screen; this; in turmowingto theigreat losses of light at large. distances, makcstdarksurroundings necessary; However, if it'were, possibleto move with the o1d-time projector, to-- wards, close proximity Ofthe screen, the losses'of light would be small and there would be no nec' essity for, darkening theroom. If :a projector of' the type now in use would'be moved in proximity to thescreen,theresultingimage would'be much 1' too small for. practical purposes. With projec,- tors in accordance, with the invention, however; a wide area undistorted image is obtained at close; proximity to .,.the screen and, since it allows ob lique projection, the projector does not b1ockthe view.

The invention is particularly suitable for projecting theatrical; scenery from, theiront. Such projection is characterized by great economy, since it permits the,use of small projection slides that are easily, transportedand stored, instead of' the conventional,large-scale painted scenery. It.

also, vfacilitates. rapid; interchange of sceneries;

Oblique projection fromvthe front, only made possible. by wide angle, and close proximity char:

acteristics furthermore obviates the availability of, alarge space. to, the, rear of the screen, such as has-always, been vnecessary where theatrical scenery projectionha's been carried outirom the rear ofthestagau.

the safety ..c.urta in,, :ieither centrally ;.or in the a The projector, can ,he', placed above andjbehind',

wings ofeither or. both sides, and is thus--c'cncealed from-the: viewoftlie'audience; The projector is placed outside of-the visible stage" areaand projectsa wideangle-beam; thereby"the;pOssibilityjs-eliminated "that the actors-mighi'reiiterintothe: patlr orthezprojectedlight-beam as they movetaboutth'e stage fioorr Sinceall the well known features of the artrof projection; such-as masking, vignettingr'or" the; likeare available for :thiswide angle projectiony-there may beehtained'quiteiunusual'theatricarscenery-and b'a'ck ground'effects: T

Advertisingofthe-outdoorand indoor typeis anotherfield, wel-rsui'ted- -for "use" of prcj ectors" in accordance with" the "invention: The-projec tor can be-placed in' close" proximityto anup right screen or, other prepared outdoorsurface ViSibiltQ observers yielding straight-type proj eption images without that the projector block-s 5 therview of the'obs'erverx Quick change Ofthe projected image; as wen as--other conventional features of the projeetionartthat, may lie-em ployedwithwide angle projection inya manner similanto projectors commonly used; 'result'in uni ue advertising principles Likewise; the; p i lector' of" the invention is? usable vfor background projection: of scenery for teleyision ln'oadcastin'g, and also forscreenprojection. in connection with teletype machinesthatis iknown under the trade -"designation te1econ;"-'

In the foregoing there have been referrecl'tosome, of: the, uses for the instant lnyention and it will Fbe, understood: that "this is not done" ex haustively; but only ,by way of exemplification;

andjlno limitation is'intendea thereb Rerer erlcev is'being had tocthe following publications:

Uffs'rPatentsjNo." 1,;869i2'l5*-andNo1.13 1 3 AustralianPatent No.227037312 TwentietmenturyStage Decoration," by"si- J. Hume and W. R. Fuerst, published by filfi ed Kno f; Ina, 1 192% New York r-undone 1 vol; 1 1, chapter l plasma -1153 StagewLighti-nm *by. Ca H.111 Ridga and :F A1dred,.iPitmanr.1&,lSons, :London, 1935,, ppQIOO-a,

103:}; l 4 TbesEvoluticncot,.Staee;'1-iehtinsf y Applebeaa: eumaL-of the Reyaltsociety of :AMS. 1:

London ,volumeNo. 417123.; pp., .554-.55.5,-August,2,;

Accqrdin y.. the invention, has amon its 0b J'ects'. the, provision 0f a..w n le l ifi un-smea pr jec n -at clqs r ygea lar e area:

image onto a screen. A further object of the invention is to provide an objective system for sucn a projector.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification.

1n tne accompanying' drawings,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional diagrammatic view of a projector, in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the optical elements of an embodiment;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a modified objective;

Fig. 4 is a schematic view, similar to Fig. 2, but showing a modification; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a further modified objective.

In carrying the invention into effect in the embodiments which have been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings and for description in this specification, and referring now particularly to Fig. 1, there is provided a projector, generally indicated at II, that has a casing ll, pivotally mounted on a base 13, to permit swivel movement of the casing.

The casing l2 has louvres 14 near the top and bottom to provide adequate ventilation of the interior and is lined with asbestos at 16. A light source I! is mounted in said casing; this light source may either be an incandescent lamp having, for instance a power of from 3,000 to 5,000 watts, or may be any other suitable light source, such as an arc lamp.

A concave mirror I8 is provided near the rear wall IQ of the casin 12, and is disposed facing frontwardly, to pro ect light rays frontwardly. A recess 2| is arranged in the casing for receiving and supporting one or more slides 22 for image projection.

Rearwardly of the slide recess 2| there is provided a condenser, generally indicated at 23, and frontwardly of the same there is mounted an objective, generally designated 24.

Broadly speaking there will be found, in the accompanying drawings and in the ensuring description, projectors for two sizes of slides 22, namely for slides measuring 13 x 18 cm. (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) and for slides measuring 8.5 x cm. (Figs. 4 and 5). The former is particularly suitable for background projection for theaters and television studios, while the latter is especially advantageous for advertisin projection. It will, however, be well understood by those versed in this and related arts, that this division is mainly made for the purpose of clarification and not in a restrictive sense.

Both type projectors can be brought to a distance of from 1 to m. or more oppositea projection screen; and both have a projection angle of about 60-75, as best shown in Fig. 1. The terms rearwardfand frontward are being used herein to designate the directions from the objective to the light source, and from the light source towards the objective, respectively, but merely for illustrative purposes.

All of the lens components of the condensers as well as of theobjectives of the examples described herein, preferably are made of Jenaer 4 Crown glass having a refractory index of 1.5253, and are coated.

In the following examples of objectives, each objective comprises a plurality of lens components, for instance a rear lens component A, an intermediate lens component B, and a front lens component C. Each of these components, though in the illustrations they are not shown corrected for some of the aberrations, may be corrected in accordance with well-known optical principles. Each corrected lens component would, of course, be composed of more than one piece of glass, and the pieces be of different kinds.

The rear lens component A is spaced from the intermediate component B for a distance a, and the front lens component C is spaced from the intermediate lens component B for a distance b, it being understood that the distances :1 and b are measured between the optical centers of the lens components involved.

In all the ensuing examples, as will be demonstrated, the front lens component C has a focal length is that is from 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the focal length F of the entire objective system, the intermediate lens component B has a focal length f2 that is from 1.6 to 2.5 times that of the focal length F of the objective system, and the rear lens component A has a focal length ii that is from 3.0 to 4.0 times that of the focal length F of the objective system.

In all the examples, furthermore, the rear lens component A of the objective has at least one convex surface facing rearwardly, the intermediate component B has at least one convex surface facing rearwardly, and the front lens component C has at least one convex surface facing frontwardly. Furthermore, all of the said lens units of the condenser and the components of the objective preferably have a circular circumference, with the rear lens component A of the objective having an outside diameter D1 of at least twice the size of the diameter D2 of the intermediate component B, and also at least twice the size of the diameter D3 of the front lens component C.

As best shown in Fig. 1, there is a mechanism, designated 29, such as a pin and slot arrangement, for permitting movement of the front lens component C between two extreme positions. This permits not only focusing of the image on the screen, but also allows to put a slide out to focus to create special effects particularly useful for theatrical background projection. Thus, while the distance a. is fixed, though to a value within the given range, the distance b is variable for the purpose stated.

The condenser, as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, is a so-called triple" condenser, which means that it is composed of three lens units.

Projectors for slides 13 a: 18 cm.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the condenser 23 for the first four of the following examples, comprises a first, rearmost, lens unit 26 that is located opposite the light source H, a

second lens unit 21, and a third lens unit 28 that among the condenser lens units is disposed furthest away from the light source I! and nearest to the slide recess 2 l The first lens 26 is a meniscus type lens that is convexially facing frontwardly, has a circular contour and an outside diameter of 225 mm. Its optical center is spaced from the center of the light source I! for a distance c of 250 mm.

The second lens 21 is a plano convex lens, convexiallyfacing frontwardly, that base circular contour and an outside diameter of 235 mm.;

its optical center is spaced from that of the first lens 26 for a distance d of 75 mm.

The third lens 28 is shaped and dimensioned substantially like the second lens 21, but it faces convexially rearwardly, and its optical center is spaced from that of the second lens 21 for a distance e of 95 mm.

In a first example, shown in Fig. 2, the objective 24 and its lens components are characterized by the following value; the lens characteristics are given in focal lengths (cm.) and in focal power (diopters) Table I Name Symbol-range of value-dimension Focal length of objective sys- F=11.0 to 11.6 cm.

tem.

lens comp' focalpowen.

u u pz=+5.4 diopters. Dent B type of lens..

Intermediate focal length plane-convex, facing rearwardly.

diameter..... Dg=112 to 115 mm. focal length fa=25.0 01;. +7 4 d t a 10D ers. F tlens com. focal power" 3. 75 diopters.

ga on type of lens. meniscus type, facing frontwardly.

P;'=focal power of the corn ex surface of the component (C).

Pa=focal power of the concave surface of the component (C).

a=50 to 65 mm.

b=30 to 75 mm.

2=thesum of.

In the second example, for which Fig. 3 is illustrative, the objective and the lens components thereof have the values:

Table II Dlsgance between A and H 1 Disgi nce between B and Name Symbol-range of valuedimension Focal length of objective sys- F=l0.0 to 10.6 cm.

tem.

Rear lens diameter D1=23Omm.

component focal length. =36.5cm. r .A" type of lens. plano-convex, facing rearwardly.

diameter D =ll5mm. focal length. fz=17.0t029.0'cl11.

mltermediate type oflens meniscus type, facing rearwardly.

ens t =focal power of the convex fi fi p surface of the component Pz=focal power of the concave surface of the component diameter.. D3=112 to 115mm. focallength. fs=l7.0toP2( ).0i1g1bd t a p ers. z{ "=-3.0 diopters. Front lens type of lens. meniscus type, facing irontwardly. component Pa=focal power of the convex "0 slsface of the component Pa"=foeal power of the concave sisface of the component a=50 to 65 mm.

b=30 to 75 mm.

E=the sum of,

Distance between A" and Disgsnce between 13" and intable 111: however, only-the 'focal-powrs of the lensesare given; v v, Table III Name Symbol-range of valuedimension Focal length of objective sys- F=10.0 to 10.6 cm.

D1=230 mm p1=+2.5 diopters.

Rear lens {diameter ,plano convex,,facing rearwardly;

component focal power. A type of lens...

face of the component (0). Pa focal power of the concave surface of the component (0).

a =46.5 mm.

b=44 to 64 mm.

{lens A=46.0 mm.

Distance between A and Distance between "B and Thickuesses of lens components in optical axis lens B"=18.0 mm.

2=the sum of.

In a fourth example, for which again Fig. 3 is illustrative, the objective and .its-lenscomponents have the following values:

Table IV Name Symbol-range of value-dimension Focal length of objective sys- F=l0.5 cm.

tem.

D =225 mm.

Rear lens {diameter plano-convex, facing rearwardly.

component focal power. A type of lens.

face of the component (0'). Pa=focal power of the concave surface of the component (C).

Distancebetween A"andB" a=46.5 mm. DistancebetweenB"and0".

b=44 to 64 mm. 2=the sum of.

Projectors for slides 8.5 a: 10.0 cm.

In the modification shown in- Fig. 4, the condenser l23, which is for the ensuing fifth and sixth examples, is again composed of three lens units. It comprises a first or rearmost meniscus type lens unit I26, that is located opposite the light source l1 and is disposed frontwardly convexially, has a circular circumference and an out' side diameter of about mm.; a secondlens unit 121, that is Plano-convex, having its convex side facing frontwardly and having an outside diameter of about mm.; and a third or frontward lens unit I28, that is plane-convex and faces with'its convex side rearwardly and has, an dutside'diameter of about 130 mm The sec d ponent A" and" third. lens units, I21.- and I28, are alikeandare disposed symmetrically.

The first lens unit I26 is spaced with its optical center from the light source I! for a distance of 55 mm. and is spaced from the optical center-of the second lens unit I21 for a distance d of 38 mm. The third lens unit I28 has its optical center spaced from that of the second lens unit I21 for a distance e of 61 mm.

The rear lens component A of the objective I24 has: its optical center spaced from the light source I! for a distance g of 180 mm.

A fifth example of an objective, for which Fig. 4 is illustrative, has values. given. below in Table V.

Intermediate diameter Dz=55 mm.

lens comfocal length. f2.=17 .0 cm. ponent B" type of lens. plano-convex; facing rearwardly:

component l'ocallength- "0 plano-convex, facing lrontwardly.

Front lens {diameter type of'lens....

DistancebetwcenA"andB". Distsncebetween B andC" a=32 to 48 mm. b=40 to 60 mm.

A sixth example of an objective is shown in Fig. 5 and its values are given below in Table VI.

Tabl VI Namc' Symbol-range of valuedimcnsion Focal length of oblective system F=7.8 cm.

D =l30 mm.

111 =+7 .0 diopters.

focal power;.. v

plano-convex, lacing rcarwnruly.

Rear lens comdiameter.-

type of lens..

lens com localpower-..

plano-convex,. lacing rcarwardly.

Intermediate {diameter p0ncntB type of lens.

ponent 0" Pa=focal power of the convex surface of the component (0).

surface of the component (C).

a=32 to 48 mm. b=40 to 60 mm.

2 ;=the sum of.

DistancebetweenA"andB". Distance between "B"andC.

In the foregoing six examples of objectives, specific values and ranges have been indicated, but it will be understood that these values also encompass the ratios of the ranges between the extreme values thereof It. will. be apparent to those skilled in the art that the novel principles of the invention disclosed herein in connection with specific exemplifications thereof will suggest various other modifications and applications of the same.

It. is accordingly desired that in construing, the. breadth of the appended claims they shall not be limited to the specific exemplifications of the in.- vention described herein.

Having thus. described the invention, what I claim. as new and desire to besecured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a wide angle objective system, in combination, a. front lens component. a rear lens component, and an intermediate lens component P;=focal power of the concave bination, a rear lens component. having at least.

one convex surface facing, rearwardly, a front lens component spaced from said rear lens component and having at least one convex surface facing frontwardly, and an intermediate lens component disposed within the inter lens space and having at least one convex surface facing rearwardly, said rear lens component having a diameter of at least twice the size: of that of either of the other lens components, said front lens component having a. focal length of from 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the system, said rear lens component: having a; focal length of from 3.4 to 4.0 times that of the system, and said intermediate lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.5 times thatof the system.

3. In a wide angle projector, for use in close proximity to a reflection surface, in combination: a light source; a condenser assembly comprising three lens-units spaced from' each other and including a rear unit having a frontal convex surface, a center unit having a frontal convex surface, and a front unit having a rearward convex surface; and an objective system including a front lens component, a rear lens component, and an intermediate lens component spaced from said front and rear lens components, said front lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the system, said rear lens component having, a local length of from 3.0 to 4.0 times that of the system, and said intermediate lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.5 times that of the system.

4. In a wide angle projector, for use in close proximity to a reflection surface, in combination: a light source; a condenser assembly comprising three lens-units spaced from each other and including a meniscus type rear unit disposed convexially frontwardly, and two oppositely facing plano convex units; and an objective system including a front lens component, a rear lens component, and an intermediate lens component spaced from said front and rear lens components, said front lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the system, said rear lens component having a local length of from 3.0 to 4.0 times that of the system, and said intermediate lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.5 times that of the system.

5. In a wide angle projector, as claimed in claim 4, characterized therein that the diameter of said condenser units being at least as large as the diameter of said rear lens component and the latter having at least twice the size of the diameter of said other two lens components.

6. In a wide angle objective system, in combination: a plano convex rear lens component positioned rearwardly convexially and having a diameter D1, and a focal length f1; an intermediate plano convex lens component disposed rearwardly convexially and being spaced from said rear lens component for a distance a and having a diameter D2 and a focal length f2; and a meniscus type front lens component being frontwardly convexially and being spaced from said intermediate lens component for a distance I) and having a diameter D; and a focal length is; said lens components having a refractory index n and being so arranged that said system will have a focal length F; wherein Y F is from 11.0 to 11.6 cm. D1 is 230 mm.

f1 is 36.5 cm.

D2 is 115 mm.

f2 is 18.0 cm.

a is from 50 to 65 mm. D3 is from 112 to 115 mm. is is 25.0 cm.

b is from 30 to 75 mm.

7. In a wide angle objective system, in combination: a plano convex rear lens component positioned rearwardly convexially and having a diameter D1 and a focal length f1; an intermediate meniscus type lens component disposed rearwardly convexially and being spaced from said rear lens component for a distance a and having a diameter D2 and a focal length f2; and a meniscus type front lens component being frontwardly convexially and being spaced from said intermediate lens component for a distance I) and having a diameter D and a focal length is; said lens components having a refractory index n and being so arranged that said system will have a focal length F; wherein F is from 10.0 to 10.6 cm.

D1 is 230 mm.

I1 is 36.5 cm.

D2 is 115 mm.

I2 is from 17.0 to 20.0 cm. a is 50 to 65 mm.

D: is from 112 to 115 mm. 1: is from 17.0 to 20.0 cm. b is from 30 to 75 mm.

8. In a wide angle objective system, in combination: a plano-convex rear lens component positioned rearwardly convexially and having a diameter D1 and a focal power p1; an intermediate meniscus ty-pelens component disposed rearwardly convexially and being spaced from said rear lens component for a distance a and having a diameter D2 and a focal power 102 being the sum of a focal power P2 of the convex surface and a focal power of P2" of the concave surface; and a meniscus type front lens component being frontwardly convexially and being spaced from said intermediate lens component for a distance D and having a diameter D3 and a focal power 103 being the sum of a focal power P3 of the convex surface and a focal power P3 of the concave surface; said lens components having a refractory index n and being so arranged that said system will have a focal length F; wherein F is from 10.0 to 10.6 cm. D1 is 230 mm. p1 is +2.5 diopters.

D2 is 112 mm. m is the sum {P +7.5 diopters P +3.0 diopters a is 46.5 mm. D3 is 110 mm.

pa is the sum a is 46.5 mm.

10 {P +7.5 diopters P -3.0 diopters b is from 44 to 64 mm. 11, is 1.5253.

9. In a wide angle objective system, in combination: a plano-convex rear lens component positioned rearwardly convexially and having a diameter D1 and a focal power 321; an intermediate meniscus type lens component disposed rearwardly convexially and being spaced from said rear lens component for a distance a. and having a diameter D2 and a focal power 102 being the sum of a focal power P2 of the convex surfaceand a focal power of P2" of the concave surface; and a meniscus type front lens component being frontwarolly convexially and beings paced from said intermediate lens component for a distance b and having a diameter D3 and a focal power 103 being the sum of a focal power P3 of the convex surface and a focal power P3" of the concave surface; said lens components having a refractory index n and being so arranged that said system will'hav'e'a focal length'F; wherein F is 10.5 cm.

D1 is 225 mm. ,p1-is +2.5 diopters. .D2 is mm. 1 2 is the sum P 3.0 diopters D3 is 110 mm. p3 is the-sum I Z P '=+7.5 dioptei's P 3.0 diopters b is from 44 to 64 mm. n is. 1.5253.

10. In a wide angle objective system, in combination: a plano-convex rear lens component positioned rearwardly convexially and having a diameter D1 and a focal length f1; an intermediate plano convex lens component disposed rearwardly convexially and being spaced from said rear lens component for a distance a and having a diameter D2 and a focal length f2; and a plano convex type front lens component being frontwardly convexially and being spaced from said intermediate lens component for a distance I; and having a diameter D3 and a focal length is; said lens components having a refractory index .n and being so arranged that said system will have a focal length F; wherein F is 7.2 cm.

D1 is mm.

f1 is 25.0 cm.

D2 is 55 mm.

f2 is 17.0 cm.

a is from 32 to 48 mm. D3 is from 53 to 55 mm. is is 21.5 cm.

b is from 40 to 60 mm. n is 1.5253.

11. In a wide angle objective system, in combination: a plano-convex rear lens component positioned rearwardly convexially and having a diameter D1 and a focal power m; an intermediate plano convex lens component disposed rearwardly convexially and being spaced from said rear lens component for a distance a and having 76 a diameter D2 and a focal power 102; and a 1 1 meniscus type front lens component being frontwardly convexially and being spaced from said intermediate lens component for a distance b and having a diameter D3 and a focal power pa being the sum of a focal power P3 of the convex surf-ace and ,a focal power Pa" of the concave surface; said'lens components having a refractory index n and being so arranged that said system will haveaav focal length F wherein F is "7.8- cm.

D1 is 180 mm. in is +7.0"diopters. D2 is 59 mm.

m is +10.0 diopters. a is from 32 17048 mm. D: is 5'7 mm. m is the sum {P +14.00 diopters P3" 7.75 diopters bis from 40 to 60 mm. n 3 1.5253.

12. In a wide angle projector, the combination with alight source and a condenser assembly near said source, of an objective system including a front lens component, a rear lens component, and an intermediate lens component spaced from said front and rear lens components, said front lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the system, said rear lens component having a focal length of from 3.0 to 4.0 times that of the system, and said intermediate lens component having a focal length of from 1.0 to 2.5 times that of the system. v

13. In a wide angle projector, for use in connection with a light source and a condenser near said source, in combinatiom'an objective system comprising a front lens component, a rear lens component, and an intermediate lens component disposed substantially midway between said front and rear lens components, said front lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the system, said rear lens component having a focal length of from 3.0 to 4.0 times that of the system, and said intermediate lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.5 times that of the system.

14. In a wide angle objective system, for use in connection with a projector having a light source and a triple condenser near said source, in combination, a front lens component, a rear lens component, and an intermediate lens component disposed substantially midway between said front and rear lens components, said front lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.3 times that of the system, said rear lens component having a'focal length of from 3.0 to 4.0 times that of the system, and said intermediate lens component having a focal length of from 1.6 to 2.5 times that of the system.

PAUL PLANER.

'REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,863,099 Bowen June 14, 1932 1,881,355 Ceyling et al Oct. 4, 1932 1,955,850 Hallett et al. Apr. 24, 1934 1,996,054 Bowen Apr. 2, 1935 2,215,271 May ,Sept. 1'7, 1940 2,313,460 Warmisham Mar. 9, 1943 2,502,544 Warmisham Apr. 4, 1950 

